Newcastle United are expecting to be facing a recharged Marcus Rashford when the teams meet at St James' Park after the international break.

Rashford - like a clutch of Newcastle stars - pulled out of international duty despite being called up by England to face Italy and Ukraine. The striker, who scored against Newcastle at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final, was described by Man United has having "a knock" picked up in the FA Cup win over Fulham.

Rashford posted pictures of himself in New York on a city break this week and is expected to link up with the Red Devils next week as preparations for the important game with Newcastle get under way. There is certainly a feel of deja vu about Rashford's sudden "injury" for Newcastle.

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Remember, it the build-up to the Wembley showpiece, Rashford had limped off in Man United's Europa League win over Barcelona. Once again, he took to Instagram and posted a picture suggesting he was a doubt for the Newcastle clash only to play and score days later.

Therefore, the man who has banged in 30 goals already for club and country will leave nobody on Tyneside shocked if his name appears on the team sheet on April 2 at St James' Park. Newcastle also pulled Nick Pope out of the England squad just days before the trip to Naples.

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